Abstract: A thermophoretic filter cell for the filtering of particles from a liquid is constructed in a particular manner so that the liquid introduced into the filter acts as the heat sink. The cell is designed so that the thermophoretic velocity of the particles in the liquid equals or exceeds the velocity (flow rate per unit area) at which the liquid is passing through the filter.

Abstract: An inspection system employing high collection efficiency energy filtered backscatter electrons. At least two detectors are positioned relative to the sample at spaced locations. Each detector has a canister with a fiberoptic bundle mounted therein. A scintillator detector is mounted at the end of the fiberoptic bundle. A ground grid is mounted at an opening of the canister in axial alignment with the scintillator detector. An energy filter is interposed between the scintillator detector and the ground grid. The energy filter is an electrostatic retarding potential grid to permit detection of only high energy backscatter electrons. The geometry of the detectors relative to the specimen together with the conical shape of the detector housing achieves maximum collection efficiency of the targeted electrons.

Abstract: This is a static photometric polarimeter for use with a sample S upon which a beam passed through a beam splitter (which reflects the beam to a detector D.sub.o) and which beam is 45.degree. polarized. The reflection of the beam from the surface of sample S is passed to a polarizing beam splitter with one portion of the reflected beam going to a detector D.sub.s which measures the perpendicular polarization component of the beam and the other portion of the beam going to the detector D.sub.p which measures the parallel polarized portion of the reflected beam.

Abstract: An electrostatic lens is disposed between a charge electrode and deflection plates to electrostatically focus each of the droplets on a recording surface at a position in alignment with the nozzle supplying the stream. The lens preferably comprises three electrodes with each of the outer electrodes having the same potential, which is substantially equal to the kinetic energy per unit charge of each of the charged droplets and of opposite polarity to the charge on the droplets, and the third electrode preferably being grounded. Each of the electrodes has a circular aperture through which the charged droplets pass with the electrodes being spaced from each other in the direction of the stream a distance preferably no greater than the diameter of the aperture. If desired, the electrode, which is furthest from the nozzle, can be omitted although this will produce some deceleration of the droplets.